Checks and Balances

Essential Question:  What prevents each branch of government from gaining too much power? 

Starter 15
“If we don't exercise the rights given to us by the Constitution, we are in a very real danger of losing them.”  - Robert Eckus

1. In what ways do you agree with this statement.  Be specific – what rights do you think this applies to?
2. In what ways do you disagree with this statement?  What rights do you think might not work in this way?

Finish Constitution Video and Notes
Finish video and notes from yesterday

RPSLS tournament!
Ready to get rowdy?  We're gonna drill down on a full bracket-style tournament – Rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock!  Best of 5 – winner moves on, loser becomes the winner's biggest fan.  Cheer your hearts out. 

After the game, the winner will map out a 'power diagram' on the board for us and discuss his/her winning strategy.

But wait?  What does this have to do with anything?

Checks and Balances. 
Brief discussion: Our branches of government work just like a complex version of RPSLS.  The system is based on the idea that any person with the opportunity to seize more power will do it (we're coming out of tyranny, remember?), so each branch must have significant 'checks' on the others.

1. Legislative branch.  Primary function: to make new laws.
2.  Executive branch.  Primary function: to “execute,” or carry out, laws that Congress writes.
3.  Judicial branch.  Primary function: to interpret the Constitution by ruling on difficult cases (to interpret the law through the lens of the Constitution).  

Checks and Balances Diagram
Using colored pencils, markers, crayons, etc, create a “power diagram” similar to RPSLS.  Use your “Checks and Balances Cheat Sheet” to help you (see docs page).  Also, google image search the phrase “checks and balances” and you will get a lot of handy ideas. Beautiful work, people! 

DUE: These are due at the end of class today but, in pursuit of beautiful work, if you would like to take it home to further refine your work, please feel free to submit Monday at the beginning of class. 

Grade Conferences
Finally!

HOMEWORK:

1. Finish Checks and Balances Diagram.  DUE:  Monday, start of class
2. Read Tocqueville article and annotate!  DUE:  Tuesday, start of class

Watch out for a short quiz on Monday covering the key Constitutional Concepts from the video!